A SHAKE-UP of city centre bus services will take place at the end of the year.

Merseytravel has made the changes after Arriva axed three key routes because they failed to make enough money.

The bus company announced it was de-registering the S1, 4 and 11 services and Merseytravel then terminated the contracts for the subsidised S2 and S3 services.

Four new routes, all subsidised by public money, will be introduced on December 27 and will be operated by Arriva after it successfully bid for the emergency tenders.

Phil Stone, managing director of Arriva North West, said: “Due to current passenger numbers, the S1, 4 and 11 services are not able to continue on a commercial basis, but we hope this new solution, which covers the vast majority of the current network, will continue to help our customers get around Liverpool city centre.”

Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel, said: “We have worked quickly to set up a network of bus routes and services that connect with all the city’s major hubs, interchanges and attractions.

“We have tried to maintain as many of the links and connections as possible.”

Some previously direct services will now involve changes, he added.

Fares on the new services will be £1 per journey and Merseytravel and Arriva day tickets will also be accepted.

A new C2 service will run from the Queen Square to the waterfront and link to the Mersey Ferries.

The C3 will run through Marybone, Queen Square Bus Station, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool John Moores University, the two cathedrals and Liverpool Women’s hospital.